Sullivan’s Castle Island is a Boston rite of passage. Sully’s occupies the intersection of the 1851 Fort Independence and popular kite surfing spot, Pleasure Bay. Sullivan’s serves fresh locally-sourced seafood, fries, burgers, and soft serve to Bostonians.
About Sullivan’s Castle Island
Dan Sullivan, Sr. opened the concession stand in 1951. Since then, four generations of Sullivans continued to operate and grow the stand, undergoing two renovations over its storied history.
Sullivan’s upgraded to a brick facade in 1986, inspired by the Castle Island officer’s quarters. Over 70 years after opening, the James Beard Foundation recognized the historic Boston concessions stand as one of only six recipients of the 2025 America’s Classics Award.
About James Beard America’s Classics
According to the James Beard Foundation, this recognition is “a category of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, the America’s Classics Award is given to locally and independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal and beloved in their region for food that reflects the character and cultural traditions of its community.”
Sullivan’s Castle Island, lovingly referred to as ‘Sully’s’, is a Boston institution that has served working-class Bostonians for generations. Every Bostonian has a story about Sully’s—whether from working there after school as teenagers, having their sports team or fundraiser supported by Sully’s, taking their children for some crinkle cuts like their grandparents took them, or simply enjoying it as a nostalgic seaside gathering place for locals. Now a seasonal spot on Castle Island with a year-round outpost in suburban Hanover, Sully’s is known for their double smash burgers with copious amounts of cheese, hot dogs, thick crinkle cut fries, lobster rolls, and locally sourced fresh seafood, notes the James Beard Foundation.
Sully’s is the only New England location to win this recognition, a big success for the current owner, Brendan Sullivan.
Open daily spring through fall from 10 AM- 6 PM at:
2080 William J Day Blvd, South Boston, MA 02127